NEW LONDON, Conn. – Connecticut Humanities awarded a $24,999 Implementation Grant matching grant to the Garde Arts Center in support of the production of the documentary film “Henny and Hannover.” The film will premiere in 2023 at the Garde Arts Center and will be aired on CPTV. 

The movie will highlight the life of the late Henny Simon, a survivor of the Holocaust and a refugee from Hannover, Germany, who came to America and purchased a chicken farm in Colchester, Conn. After years of silence, Simon began to speak in public schools and universities about her experience, often doing so with companion Ben Cooper, a World War II veteran, who helped to liberate the Dachau concentration camp. 

The Eastern CT Cultural Coalition’s Funding Booster Program provided technical support and helped prepare the grant application. Shannon Saglio, former Social Studies teacher and now Districtwide Technology Instructional Coach at East Lyme High School who worked for years with Henny, was thrilled with the award,

“This documentary is an important project. Henny and Ben’s story is a reminder to all about the importance of being an ‘upstander’ in our communities,” said Saglio. “Their story of courage, perseverance, empathy and love will touch all those who watch, a message so needed during these trying times. I am thrilled that CT Humanities is supporting it and look forward to its broadcast, local showings, and use in schools throughout the region and the state.” 

The film will be produced by Southeastern Connecticut resident Jerry Fischer, who produced the film “Harvesting Stones” for CPTV in 2017. It is co-directed and filmed by Award-winning National Geographic photographer/documentarian/cinematographer Todd Gipstein. Cooperating with the film are government officials in Germany, Frank Fischer of the World Jewish Congress, and Professors Jefferson Singer of Connecticut College and Laurence Tribe of Harvard University. 

For more information, including how to make donations, visit the film’s website HennyTheMovie.org or by writing to info@henny- themovie.org.

Main Photo: Henny Simon in Germany in 1938.